42 MOTHER OF THE BRIDE HAIRSTYLES

This is the biggest day of your daughter’s life and you’ll want to look your best. Wedding ceremonies and receptions are a great opportunity to try something new with your hair and pull of the perfect photoshoot. When it comes to mother of the bride hairstyles, everyone has the same question; “what’s my perfect look?”. To help answer this question we’ve put together this style guide for all hair types and lengths, dress cuts, and all varieties of wedding themes. There are plenty of classic styles to consider, and a lot of newer hairstyles for mother of the bride that you’ll want to be introduced to. We’ve considered layers, braids, updos, and all of the accessories that you could want. There’s also a few tips – like making sure not to outshine your daughter on her big day – and guidelines to follow, so click through and stay tuned.

Photo 1-6: Mother Of The Bride Hairstyles – Updos

The first thing to consider when choosing your bridal hairstyles is the wedding theme. A traditional wedding usually calls for a more formal hairstyle. Outdoor, rustic, and boho wedding themes allow more flexibility like loose and wild curls. The gown style also plays a major role. A long and flowing dress usually pairs best with long hair worn down. A tighter fit or lower neckline looks gorgeous with updos. The final main ingredient is the length of hair you are working with. Extensions are very much an applauded option, but if you want to stay with what you already have, short, medium, and long hair all have their restrictions and opportunities.
Updos are the first look you should consider. Updos offer a variety of styles that will fit any theme, any dress, and most hair lengths. For modern and traditional themes alike, if you opt for an updo go with, our favorite, the chignon. Pronounced “shen-yan”, this style pulls the hair back into a beautiful bun or knot which is very flattering and a lovely look for the glowing mother of the bride. This is an especially attractive style for mothers who wear bangs. Together, this hairstyle creates a delicate feel and a great frame for the face. The Audrey Hepburn inspired look can be worn soft and classic, dressed up with intricate braid work, or dressed down as a ‘messy bun’ for outdoor weddings.

Photo 7-12: Mother Of The Bride Hairstyles For Short Hair

 

If you are in search of mother of the bride hairstyles for short hair, the first options to consider are updos or half up, half down dos. Updos offer great versatility when it comes to straight, curls, and weaved style options. This hair length is absolutely fantastic with hair accessories. One tip to pay attention to is not over shining the bride. With this in mind, you’ll want to avoid a tiara or elaborate headband. But, combs and pins are highly recommended. Again, you’ll want to weigh your options against the gown you’ll wear as well as the wedding theme. Excellent options include pearls, jewels, and anything delicate and ornate. Our preferred short wedding hairstyle if the French Knot. Stylish mothers who are adventurous with new and retro trends can add some flare to this look with a few curls or ringlets for the perfectly balanced ensemble. Pixie cuts and cute bobs can seem like an everyday kind of style, but with the right accessories. Flowers, feathers, and art deco headbands can all transform a standard do into a luxurious look. One rule of thumb to keep in mind is that the larger and more ornamental your accessory the more simple your hairstyle should be. Otherwise, there will be too much going on and you’ll seem off balanced.

Photo 13-18: Medium Hair Hairdos For Mother Of The Bride

 

Mother of the bride hairstyles for medium length hair is perhaps the easiest to work with considering all of the options. Your best bet is to browse all of our photos and bring your favorites to your hairstylist a few weeks in advance. Consulting with him or her will give you the chance to think about your choice before you go through with any cutting, coloring, or styling. If you would prefer a little inspiration before you head off to the salon, our rule of thumb is to work with your accessories first. No doubt you’ll have earrings, necklaces, and hair combs or pins that simply must be shown off. You’re also in luck when it comes to the neckline of your dress when you move on to matching your hair to your dress. Many necklines have trouble pairing with really long hair or really short hair, but medium length is just right. For example, an off the shoulder or one shoulder dress would not do well with long locks covering up your elegant neck and shoulders and short hair often has difficulty looking quite right with a traditional gown. Medium length hair allows you to wear it up, wear it down, or wear it anywhere in between. This leaves your beautiful pearl earrings exposed while still fitting in with the dress and theme. Shoulder-length waves are perfect for a beach wedding. Your vibrant locks will sparkle in the sunlight and really make your high and lowlights pop. For indoor wedding ceremonies and receptions, go with an upswept hairstyle. This classic style is the perfect look for mothers of any age and is the perfect classic look that compliments traditional themes. Boho Chic isn’t just for bohemian themed weddings. This look is great for all outdoor and rustic themes, and work well in a traditional setting if paired with the right accessories. Bring your boho chic look into a traditional setting with a sparkling side headdress. Or, add a few art deco pieces for the perfect vintage look. Taking all of this into consideration will help you achieve the perfect photoshoot.

Photo 19-24: Long Hair Ideas For Modern Mother Of The Bride

Mother of the bride hairstyles for long hair can be super fun to work with. Beyond all of the braids, weaves, ups, and down options, mothers of the bride looking for hairstyles for long hair may want to consider an adventurous color. Modern trends involve fresh natural color, or something a little outside of traditional like blue or deep red. You can’t go overboard with your hairstyle and end up outshining the bride but that doesn’t mean you can’t turn heads. For mothers of the bride that find new color a touch too bold, we recommend a pulled back, slightly loose style combined with a modest hair accessory. We also love the blown out and layered looks, which you should consider if your reception dress is long and flowing. If this is your look of choice, make sure to invest in some high end product so that your locks are appropriately smooth and vibrant. Our favorite style for long hair is cascading waves with a little salt spray for added texture. For mothers of the bride who prefer to wear their hair down, make use of a medium barreled iron, place a few strategic hairpins and you’re all set for traditional, boho, and every theme in between. Trendy mothers with long hair should strongly consider spiral curls tied together with floral blooms. Beach weddings call for glamorous retro inspiration. Greek hairstyles are making a noticeable comeback, and are just perfect for long hair. For the perfect photoshoot, tie your hair back and up accessorized with laurel leaf or golden olive leaf headbands.

Photo 25-30: Stylish Braid Hairstyles Ideas

We urge brides to consider a theme to your wedding party’s hairstyles. There’s no need to force everyone to look identical but, braids for example can be the perfect way to unify the bride, mother of the bride, and bridesmaid hairstyles. Mothers of the bride are wearing braided hairstyles more often, and we love the look. The reason it works so well is the versatility. Long and loose braids are your best bet for rustic and outdoor weddings. Tight and pulled back or pulled up are more appropriate for Traditional and Classic weddings themes. Either way, you’ll want to accessorize! A pair of diamond drop earrings and a delicate hair comb will pull your traditional braided hairstyle together. Whether you tie a single braid into a pony, wrap a series of braids around as a crown, or go crazy with a series of French braids, you can’t go wrong. We love braids, and the stylish modern mother of the bride will love them too, but you don’t have to braid all of your hair if that’s not your style. Bridal mothers are loving a single hairline braid in the front with flowing locks on the top and back. Mixing these styles is a great way to add some interest with a variety of textures, and mix very well with a wide assortment of dress styles. This is your daughter’s wedding and a very special occasion so there’s no need to hold back or keep things simple if that’s not your style. Take your wedding photoshoots to the next level by donning an intricate fishtail braid, or wow the crowd with a stylish upside down braid.

Photo 31-36: Elegant And Chic Updos

 

Mother of the bride hairstyles half up or a full on updo are an elegant choice for traditional and classic wedding themes. This look is especially chic for dresses with an open back, plunging neckline, or off the shoulder cut. Conservative mothers who want to look their best on their daughter’s big day will love this time-tested style. Trendy mothers of the bride are pairing their pinned back weaves with flowers, pins, combs, and tiaras to modernize this timeless style. If this sounds like you, we strongly recommend a smaller accessory such as a dainty pin with nature-inspired features. A super chic option involves rolling your hair into a smooth bun and holding it together with a long, slender antique clip. These fantastic styles have no trouble staying in place as you dance the night away, and are virtually weather-proof if you are attending an outdoor wedding. If you’re into celebrity trends, a creative updo is the look for you. Actresses and notables have been sporting updated retro updos to galas, red carpets, and awards ceremonies more and more these days. Kate Middleton’s neck-skimming twisted rocked The Creative Industries Reception in London while Kate Hudson’s finger-combed bun dropped jaws at the Venice Film Festival. These looks are truly inspiring and sure to help you nail down the best style for your daughter’s big day and leave the event with a fantastic photo shoot.

Photo 37-42: Gorgeous Ideas For Curly Hair

Mothers of the bride with curly hair know far too well how much time, attention, and product it can take to tame wild curls into a formal wedding do. While choosing your style, you’ll have to be aware of which products you’ll need to pull it off. The first step is to identify your desired curl type. These categories are normally broken down into loose, medium, tight, and kinky. Each category usually requires their own styling products like detanglers and treatment shampoos. Curly hair is a perfect match for bohemian themed weddings. The relaxed and comfortable boho spirit are perfect for medium or loose curls. For outdoor, beach, and rustic themes, update your curls in a half up half down bun. For traditional themes, wear your hair completely down or tied back into braids. A low tuck updo is a classy style perfect for traditional wedding themes and mothers of the bride who prefer a modest look. For adventurous curly-haired mothers of the bride who want to shine in the wedding photo album, we recommend the half up half down do. This style isn’t too over the top, but with the right accessories and some fresh color you’ll be the definition of grace and beauty. These styles are meant to be a little messy, so you won’t have to bother fussing with your hair as the festivities progress. Regardless of the style you end up choosing, make sure to wear your curls loud and proud.